Allfalfa Bloom

Anonymous-0 · May 15, 2009

I'm wanting to cut hay as early as I can this year, last year went way too late and first cutting was very corse. Old timers say can't cut until blooms are all over, I'd like to cut at the first sign of blooms or first sign of three days no rain in forecast. They say you can't get it dry because it's not mature enough. It's a foot plus in places now.

Any thoughts?

greygoat · May 15, 2009

The most protien is supposed to be at the point
that it"s just starting to bloom.

johnwayne360 · May 15, 2009

just ask a dairy farmer, you can cut hay at first bud if ya want, but getting it dry at that maturity will take probably almost 2 extra days.Hard to get that kind of time at this time of year in Iowa. Depending on what you need the hay for, mid bloom is plenty of time. Dairy guys like the high rfv of early cut hay, but beef guys like the volume of late cut, more mature hay. Hope this helps

AB · May 15, 2009

For top quality Alfalfa hay,when I see the first bloom I'm going to cut but this is also depending on the weather forecast.

Nebraska Cowman · May 16, 2009

I like to cut when I fist see blooms. Then I never look at it for a week.

Don-Wi · May 16, 2009

Like has been said- The most feed value is just when it starts to bloom, but it also takes longer to dry down. Last year we chopped all of our 1st crop and put it in a bag. We cut it right at that point and chopped it 2-3 days later. We're almost done feeding that bag out now and we'll be doing the same thing again this year. Hoping to be able to go the 1st week in June.

Donovan from Wisconsin

Anonymous-0 · May 18, 2009

we cut our hay just before we can see any bloom. this leaves it the most tender and palatable for horses. It doesnt take us any longer to get it to dry down in NW Illinois.

Allfalfa Bloom

Anonymous-0

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greygoat

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johnwayne360

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AB

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Nebraska Cowman

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Don-Wi

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Anonymous-0

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